The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-13

There is hand above will help thee on.
Bailey.
A week had elapsed Far away in the
lonely depths of Hollywood Mrs. Paine lay
sweetly sleeping, while, with almost broken
heart. poor Virgil sat bending over his
desk.
The door leading into Mr.. Norris apart
ment stood open, and from where that gen
tleman was seated he had full view of his
young clerk
'sHow sad the poor boy looBs!" muttered
the kind-hearted tobacconist. 81 have a
great mind to take him and Milton to my
house and rear and educate them as they
should be- They are both bright, good boys,
and if l were thus to befriend them, am
sure should in few years feel proud of
them. will speak with Virgil at once upon
this subject"
And, acting upon this impulse, he called
Virgil to him.
What is it, Mr.. MorrissF" inquired the
youth, coming forward.
"Close the door and then take seat beside
me-" replied the tobacconist in a low, gen.
tie voice. II wish to have private inter
view with you"
chair beside his employer, seated himself
There was brief silence; then the tobac
conist said:
Virgil, if you were my own son, could
not love you more than do. My affection
for you, however, does not spring from the
fact that your father was once a dear friend
of mine No, no. Those who in an en-
trance to my heart must pave the way there
TO with individual merit, and this. my boy.
you have done. Modesty and courtesy,
truthfulness and honesty, courage d self
abnegation, and other virtue I find beauti-
fully interviewer in your nature. | have
stud ed your character closely, and find you
all can desire. When you first entered
my office admired you; my admiration
soon developed into strong, fatherly
love- "
The speaker placed his hand upon Vir-
gil's shoulder, and, pausing for a moment,
resumed:
when | discovered you were endowed
with so fine an intellect, and that night after
night, frequently until or 2 o'clock, you sat
up improving your mind the best you could
without the aid of an instructor, | was anx-
ious to send you right back to college; but,
fearing it would be ungenerous to hold so
great temptation before your ambitious
eyes when your mother and brother wee
dependent upon you for support, said
nothing to you about the matter. But now
since God has called your dear mother to
Hinlself-now that you are both fatherlesS
md motherl ss--may | not do a fathers
part by youl Will you not accept home
beneath nv roof ana the completion of your
education at my expenses Virgil, God has
given me wealth, and | intend to use it in
manner that will benefit my fellow-crea-
lures. viii you not, my son. let me take
you to my heart and home? / should lie so
proud of you, as my generous hearted wife
also would be; while my unselfish children
would be delighted to claim y u as their
brother We all love you, Virgil"
But what would become of Milton if
should accept your generous otfer!" asked
Virgil.
heathen2" said Mr.. Morriss laughing. do
you think would send the little fellow to
the almsh0use or the orphan asyluml
Why, he should share every pleasure and
advantage that you should. You know
Milton is great favorite of mine-indeed,
know no child that pleases me more than
he does. He has none of that pertness or
pi resumption which render SO many chi lren
disgusting. Don't trouble yourself about
Milton, my son. You shall not be separated
from the little fell W. You shall both have
lifelong home with me. | shall hence
forth claim you both as my boys. Let's see.
have four boys-Bunyan, Charlie, you and
Milton -Four boys l wish l had three
times that numberm
Oh, how the lonely, sad-hearted boy
longed to throw his arms around the neck
of his employer and henceforth be guided
by that gentleman's tender. fatherly coun-
sci! How he longed to become member of
that pure, refined circle which he had Just
been asked to join! How he longed, crushed
as he was by his recent affection, to go back
to college and finish his educatonl His
mind wavered for moment; then his pride
triumphed over these longings.
"Mr. Morriss, do not know how to thank
you for this last and greatest kindness to
me-" said the boy, brokenly as his eyes
rested fondly upon the noble countenance of
his employer; "but | cannot-oh, sir, for
give me, if ! wound you'll cannot accept
so generous an offer from one upon whom l
have no claim. / am strong and healthy,
sr, and as long as retain the blessings of
strength and health l cannot look TO an
other for support.
The tobacconist's brow darkened with
vexation.
Virgil Paino, did not know you had
any such nonsense in your nature he said.
Some old maids writings have doubtless
mstllled such foolish ideas into your head.
have credited you with more sense than
you really have Discard such notions at
once! Away with thenw
L am sorry, sir, you erred IN eSUlmaCihg
my amount of sense" said Virgil, with a
proud toss of his head.
A moment later, conscious of his naughty
manner, he grapsed MIR. Morriss' hand and
humbly exclaimed:
Mr.. Morriss, don't-please don't--be an
cry with me! / am so unhappy You may
claim me as your boy if you wish to do so.
VIII look up to you as would TO my father
II he were living, and by your kind, father
~ counsel will the poor orphan boy be
guided, but, oh, please do not ask me to
compromise my independence. cannot,
sir, live idly upon another's hands"
Our interview is at an end, Virgil. You
may return to your work.
And with these words. uttered in an icy
tone, Mr.. Morriss turned and walked to a
SIDE window.
This GOODNESS on the part of his employer
had the effect of fully arousing the boys
proud spirit, and with a majestic air, he
walked out of the room noigelessly closing